[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17362]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING SOUTHWESTERN HIGH SCHOOL PIASA BIRDS SOFTBALL PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, July 9, 2009

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the 
achievements of one of the top softball programs in Illinois.
  Last month, the Piasa Birds of Southwestern High School took second 
place in the Illinois High School Association's state finals. It was 
the third time in four years that Southwestern reached the finals, and 
it tied for the best finish in school history. The Piasa Birds finished 
the year with 28 wins and four losses. They won an extra-inning 
thriller against West Carroll in the semifinals before falling to 
Olympia in the state championship.
  I want to congratulate head coach Erin McAfee and assistant coach 
Michelle Woelfel on their achievement. Most of all, I want to 
congratulate the members of the 2009 Southwestern Piasa Birds state 
runner-up softball team: Amanda Hany, Niki Davis, Lizzy McAfee, Rebecca 
Wolff, Amanda Roberts, Samantha Boucher, Sydney Shelton, Ashley 
Jenkins, Ellie Thomas, Shauni Hernandez, Amanda Mitchell, Megan Smith, 
Samatha Davis, Katie Trombetta and Leslie Davis.
  They have represented themselves, their school and the community very 
well, and I join with the other members of this House in wishing them 
continued success both on and off the field.

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